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After reading the Imperial Guard codex, I got to thinking. The Imperial Guard and The Empire aren't that different, so what would it be like if the Captains and Generals of the Empire could use command abilities like the Guard. Here are a couple of ideas.

Give no Quarter!
This order can be used on a unit of State Troopers within 12 inches of the Captain/General. The target may be engaged in combat. For this round of combat, the target unit counts as having +1 to combat resolution.

No Retreat, No Surrender!
This order can be used on a unit of State Troopers within 12 inches of the Captain/General. The target may be engaged in combat. For this round of combat, the target unit counts as steadfast, regardless of how many ranks they or the opponent have.

Fire by Ranks!
This order can be used on a unit of Handgunners or Crossbowmen within 12 inches of the Captain/General. For this shooting phase, the 3rd rank of the unit may fire as well as the first two ranks.

It would make sense, The Empires military is... well a military. The Empire is one of the few races in the game with an organized military (Others being Bretonnians (to a degree), and the rest of the races have a military, but not an organized one, High Elves train their citizens to fight, same with Dwarfs, Orcs, Ogres, Skaven, Lizardmen and Beastman have a tribal system, Dark Elves are pirates, and Tomb Kings and Vampires get their troops from the dead, so not really a military) and an order system would really show this. The reason this isn't on the other Hero and Lord choices is because they are either Knights, Religious Leaders, Wizards or men who sprout nonsense about firing arcs all day. This would make taking a General as your General justifiable, cos he would have something unique he could do.

well, technically a General of the Empire has the "Ancestral Heirloom" rule on page 73 but I guess it would be nice to have something better.

rally troops? reroll charge distance?

frankly though, if they could do that then they would be less likely to see combat before the last turns of the game. not cool.

They have mortars, prays of sigmar, popemobiles, steam tanks, dirt cheap core, excellent cav, all the magic lore, and excellent special/rare troops. The order idea is cool, but an empire army is already really strong, giving them the bonus might not be the best thing.

If any would be given i would like to see an additional attack in close combat, an addtional rank in fighting in close combat, able to upgrade your handgunner unit to all snipers. Maybe a first rank fire second rank fire thing would be cool for handgunners or an auto rally for fleeing units(already have)

Empire already has specialized training; they have the detachment rules.

I kind of like the idea, but I don't think it would mesh well with what they already have; and it's stupidly open for abuse.
For example, take very small detachments (6 guys), go 1 wide and 6 deep. Charge into an enemy, touching only 2 or 3 (because your frontage is only 20mm).
Then you use No Retreat on them, they are steadfast and hold. You're opponent finishes them off in his turn, and you've pinned your opponent in place.



What might make more sense is Order for all heroes in lords (who arne't wizards). Make the order effect pretty minor, and make the hero (or the unit) take a leadership test to use the order. I'd like to see more heroes and less wizards typically.

Orders could give things like:
+1" to charge move (use order before charge is rolled)
MR1/+1 save vs shooting during your opponents next turn if you don't move or shoot this turn.
4+ to ignore special terrain effects if you don't march.


That sort of thing.

-Matt

Here is a rule set, containing 4 orders.

'At my Command!'
During your movement phase before moving, you may attempt to use a Command. Nominate a unit of State Troopers within 12 inches of your army's General to issue a command to. After a unit has been targeted with a Command, they must take a leadership test, if they pass the unit gains the effects listed in the command, if they fail there is no effect. Inspiring presence may not be used to take the test, but if the unit has a champion or Hero they may use their leadership instead. A Battle Standard still allows re rolls.

The General has Fallen
If you armies General is removed from play, all units within 12 inches must immediately take a panic test to represent the shock of seeing the commander die. If the unit passes the test, if there are any units within 6 inches they must also take a panic test as the rumors of the Generals death spreads through the ranks.

Chain of Command
After all panic tests have been taken from The General has Fallen, nominate a single Captain of the Empire or General of the Empire to take over the position of the General. This is done by selecting the Captain/General with the highest Leadership value, if two models have equal Leadership, you may select one of them. The selected model may use Commands for the rest of the game. Note this does not make the target the armies General. If this model is killed, The General has Fallen takes effect for this model, however Chain of Command does not take effect (The troops are too shocked that both of the Commanders have fallen to even think of replacing them).

Commands
The General of the army is allowed to issue commands as stated below. Generals of the Empire are allowed to issue 2, Captains of the Empire are allowed to issue 1.

'Lead the Charge!'
The troops are inspired and move to block the enemies advance. For this movement phase, the target unit gets +2 to their charge roll.

'Give no Quarter!'
The troops are given the command to take no prisoners, and so fight on relentlessly. During this combat phase, the target unit gains +1 to combat resolution.

'Fire in Ranks!'
The troops fire on the command of the General, synchronizing their volleys. This command can only be used on units with missile weapons. During this shooting phase, the third rank of the target unit are allowed to fire their weapons as if the were members of the second rank.

'Form a Wall!'
The troops create a shield wall, and wait for the enemies charge. This command can only be used on units with shields. During this movement phase, the target unit may not move in any way, if the unit moves for any reason, the benefits of this Command are removed. During the rest of this turn and the next turn, the unit may fight with an extra rank.

'Fall Back'
The commander orders a tactical withdrawal to get his troops in better positions or out of a firing line. The unit makes an immediate fall back move, however if the unit rolls enough to chase them down, instead of the unit being destroyed, the unit instead takes 1 D3 Str 4 hits for every inch they are chased down by, representing the soldiers fighting of the advance of the enemy. In addition, the enemy unit make not move if they do run them down. The target unit automatically rallies during this movement phase, but may not make any additional moves moves.

The idea is to limit the orders to only State Trooper models (Knights are glory seekers, and wouldn't listen to a Generals orders, Militia are mainly mercenaries and civilians and are untrained in military formations, Flagelents are just insane and Pistoleers and Outriders are just doing their own thing). There is also an extreme risk if you use your General as a front line fighter. Another change is only the General himself is allowed to issue orders, but thanks to the nifty Chain of Command rule, you will almost always have orders.